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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story about Santa Claus's ninth and lead reindeer who possesses an unusually red-colored nose that gives off its own light, powerful enough to illuminate the team's path through inclement weather.

The story is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms including a popular song, a television special (done in stop motion animation), and a feature film. Rudolph was created by Robert L. May in 1939 as part of his employment with Montgomery Ward. Character Arts, LLC [1] manages the licensing for the Rudolph Company, L.P. Although the story and song have not passed into public domain, they have established themselves as folklore (as evidenced by the development of local variations and parodies such as "Deadeye the Lonesome Cowboy," collected in the field by Simon J. Bronner and included in American Children's Folklore). Earlier generations of folklorists would have rejected the possibility, and some contemporary scholars (e.g., Lucy Rollins^[1]) continue to classify the case as fakelore, much as Paul Bunyan has been criticized as an authentic folk hero. In any case, the controversy demonstrates the complex relationship between mass-culture and folklore.

Contents 1 The song 2 Rudolph in the Media 2.1 Theatrical cartoon short 2.2 Children's Book 2.3 Animated TV special 2.4 Animated feature-length film 2.5 Comic Books 3 Others 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

Johnny Marks, decided to adapt May's story into a song, which through the years has been recorded by many artists (most notably by Gene Autry in 1949), and has since filtered into the popular consciousness.

The lyrics contain several mondegreens, mishearings of phrases as other phrases. One of these, "Olive the other reindeer" instead of the original "All of the other reindeer", has given rise to another fictional character, Olive.

The song in its Finnish translation, Petteri Punakuono, has led to Rudolph's general acceptance in the mythology as Joulupukki's, the Finnish Santa's, lead reindeer. However, in Finland, Santa's reindeer do not fly. Mike Eheman made the newest version of the song with the actual flying reindeer so Santa can land on roof tops.

Preceded by "Mule Train" by Frankie Laine

U.S. Billboard Best Sellers in Stores number-one single January 7, 1950

Succeeded by "I Can Dream, Can't I?" by The Andrews Sisters

Rudolph's first screen appearance came in 1944, in the form of a cartoon short produced by Max Fleischer Jam Handy Corporation, that was more faithful to May's original story than Marks's eventual song.^[2]

In 1958, Golden Books published an illustrated storybook, adapted by Barbara Shook Hazen and illustrated by Richard Scarry. The book is similar in story to the Max Fleischer cartoon short. Although it is one of the more memorable versions of the story in book form, it is apparently no longer in print.

Main article: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)

The reindeer made his television debut on NBC in 1964, when Rankin/Bass produced a stop motion animated TV special of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that became a popular hit in itself. This version was re-broadcast annually many times over the years, even after it was finally released on video and then DVD. It now airs several times during the Christmas season (on CBS rather than NBC), making it the longest-running TV special with regards to consecutive years.

In 1976, a sequel to the Rankin-Bass original special was produced, entitled Rudolph's Shiny New Year and then a third in 1979 entitled Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. Then in 2001, a a fourth in the series was released titled Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.

An animated feature film remake of the story was produced in 1998, entitled Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie It received only a limited theatrical release before debuting on home video. Despite this it has garnered a base of dedicated fans as well as criticisms of many of the songs. Its inclusion of a villain character, a love interest for Rudolph as well as a small sidekick and a strong protector character are very derivative of the Rankin-Bass adaptation of the story, as opposed to the original tale and song. The movie amplifies the early back-story of Rudolph's harassment by his school-mates during his formative years.

National Periodical Publications, also known as DC Comics, published a series of 13 Annuals titled Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1950 to 1962. In 1972, DC published a 14th edition in a extra-large format.

Two BBC animations carry on the legend by introducing Rudolph's son, Robbie the Reindeer. However, Rudolph is never directly mentioned by name (references are replaced by a character interrupting with the phrase "Don't say that name!" or something similar, presumably for copyright reasons.^{[citation needed]})

Rudolph is also given a brother, Rusty Reindeer, in the 2006 American special Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen. Unlike Robbie, Rudolph's name is mentioned freely in the film.

• Christmas reindeer

• Official CBS website for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Keyframe - the Animation Resource
• Classic Rudolph Christmas Songs, Trivia, Cast Fun
• History of Rudolph at Urban Legends Reference Pages
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Radio
• The Legendary Role of Reindeer in Christmas
• DollyforSue.com Why is the Doll a Misfit on the Island of Misfit Toys?
• Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1948)
• Creator of Raging Rudolph

v • d • e Christmas
Main	History • The Nativity • Bringers of gifts • Decorations • Economics • Customs • Arts and media
Christianity	Nativity of Jesus • Nativity of Jesus in art • Nativity scene • Jesus • Mary • Joseph • Archangel Gabriel • Three Wise Men • Adoration of the shepherds • Star of Bethlehem • King Herod • Massacre of the Innocents • Saint Nicholas Day • Twelfth Night • Epiphany (Christian) • Advent • Christmastide
Folklore	Father Christmas • Saint Nicholas • Santa Claus • Mrs. Claus • Santa Claus' reindeer • Elves • North Pole • Other characters
Traditions	Twelve Days of Christmas • Christmas tree • Wassailing • Yule log • Stockings • Ornaments • Lights • Christmas cards • Christmas markets • Plants • Food • Feasts • Events • Traditions by country: Philippine, Polish, Worldwide
Media	Fiction • Films • Plays • Television: Episodes, Specials • Music: Albums, Hit singles and tracks, Carols, Other Christmas music and songs
Society	Christmas controversy • Christmas creep • Christmas truce • Language • Black Friday • Cyber Monday • White Christmas • Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 • Related holidays • List of winter festivals

v • d • e Rankin/Bass TV Specials

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) • Return to Oz (1964) • The Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy Show (1965) • The Ballad of Smokey the Bear (1966) • The Cricket on the Hearth (1967) • The Mouse on the Mayflower (1968) • Little Drummer Boy (1968) • Frosty the Snowman (1969) • Mad Monster Party? (1969) • The Mad, Mad, Mad Comedians (1970) • Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970) • Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) • The Enchanted World of Danny Kaye: The Emperor's New Clothes (1972) • Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters (1972) • Willie Mays and the Say-Hey Kid (1972) • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1972) • Red Baron (1972) • That Girl in Wonderland (1974) • 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974) • The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) • The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow (1975) • The First Easter Rabbit (1976) • Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976) • Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976) • The Little Drummer Boy, Book II (1976) • The Easter Bunny is Comin' To Town (1977) • The Hobbit (film) (1977) • Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977) • The Stingiest Man in Town (1978) • Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979) • Jack Frost (1979) • The Return of the King (1980) • Pinocchio's Christmas (1980) • The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold (1981) •The Coneheads (1983) • Wind in the Willows (1985) • The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985) • The Flight of Dragons (1986) • Santa Baby! (2001) • Rudolph vs. Frosty (2008) • See also: The 25 Days of Christmas

v • d • e UK Christmas number-one singles in the 1950s
1950 - Gene Autry & Bing Crosby – "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 1951 - Teddy Johnson & Teresa Brewer – "Longing For You" • 1952 - Al Martino - "Here in My Heart" • 1953 - Frankie Laine - "Answer Me" • 1954 - Winifred Atwell - "Let's Have Another Party" • 1955 - Dickie Valentine - "Christmas Alphabet" • 1956 - Johnnie Ray - "Just Walkin' in the Rain" • 1957 - Harry Belafonte - "Mary's Boy Child" • 1958 - Conway Twitty - "It's Only Make Believe" • 1959 - Emile Ford & The Checkmates - "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?"
Complete list | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s